Town of Eastham MA - Selectmen's Meeting Minutes 03/14/07

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Wednesday, March 14, 2007 - 2:30 p.m.

Present: Selectman Linda S. Burt, Chair; Selectman Kenelm N. Collins, Vice Chair;

Selectman Martin F. McDonald and Selectman David W. Schropfer

Sheila Vanderhoef, Town Administrator

Absent: Selectman Russell H. Sandblom

There being no Public Information to share at this time, Selectman Burt called the meeting to

Ms. Vanderhoef noted that various Department Heads were present to discuss departmental

fees (additions/changes).

Rental, Business Certificate and Dog License Fees:

Ms. Lillian Lamperti, Town Clerk, began the discussion with a proposed Rental Permit fee

from $30.00 to $40.00. Ms. Lamperti noted that a majority of individuals who are renting

readily cooperate in listing their rentals with the town. However, it is important to closely monitor

these rentals, especially as it pertains to their having appropriate size septic systems.

Ms. Lamperti will continue coordinating with the Board of Health in this effort. Ms. Lamperti

also recommended specifically requiring a full blown water test instead of accepting the nitrate

test results related to the town-wide nitrate study as a substitute.

Selectman Burt considered the amount of work necessary related to collecting these fees,

and recommended that the fee be raised to $50.00 rather than the suggested $40.00.

Selectman McDonald recommended consideration of a clause to be included in renters’ contracts that might include a requirement to have a contract with local haulers. Selectman McDonald asked if the Board of Selectmen could have feedback at some future date on how their program related to rentals/returns, etc., is succeeding this year and further on how coordination is going between departments as regards to septic systems and overutilization of properties.

The proposed fee for business certificates was also discussed, with the recommendation that

this fee be increased to $25.00 per year, rather than $40.00 for two years.

Selectman Schropfer made a motion to approve the Rental Permit Fee from $30.00 per year to $50.00 per year; Business Certificate fee from the present fee of $25.00 for two years to $25.00 per year and the Dog License fee from $6.00 to $10.00. Selectman Collins seconded the motion.

Plumbing and Gas Permit Fees will be discussed at a later time when Mr. Scott Van Ryswood,

Gas Inspector, is present.

Planning Board; Zoning Board and Miscellaneous Fees:

Ms. Mary Burgess, Town Planner was present to discuss the following proposed fee changes.

Ms. Burgess stated that many of the present fees do not adequately cover the time or effort involved

The following new fees were proposed:

Planning Board Fees:

Site Plan Review - Residential (Subdivision)

Current Fee: $125 application, $12 certified abutters list, $3 labels (optional)

New Fee: $125 application, $50 per additional lot, $12 certified Abutters list, $3 labels

Site Plan Review - Hotel, Motel, Cottage Colony Condo Conversation

Current Fee: $125 application, $12 certified abutters list; $3 labels (optional)

New Fee: $125 application, $25 per unit, $12 certified abutters list, $3 labels

Comprehensive Permit

Current Fee: $125 application, $12 certified abutters list, $3 labels (optional)

new Fee: $250 application, $50 per dwelling unit, $12 certified abutters list, $3 labels

Road Acceptance Fee:

Current Fee: $35 application including filing at Registry of Deeds

New Fee $200 application includes filing at Registry of Deeds

As per the Board of Selectmen: Registry Fees are now to be added to the New Fee for Road Acceptance Fee. At present this fee is $75.00.

Selectman Collins moved to accept the increases as presented above, but with the stipulation that the Registry Fee be added to the proposed $200 fee for application for Road Acceptance. Selectman Schropfer seconded the motion. APPROVED 4-0.

Selectman McDonald asked if there was a fee for tearing down a building. Ms. Vanderhoef

noted that there is a demo permit and a building permit in place.

Shellfish Permit Fees

Mr. Henry Lind, Natural Resources Officer , noted that the only proposed change in the shellfish permit fees would be the addition of a one week non-resident fee of $15.00 to accommodate those individuals who are visiting Eastham for a short stay and wish to obtain a shell fishing permit fee.

Mr. Lind noted that non-residents were reluctant to pay the $65/75 fees previously in place for a

one week shellfish permit and as a result an estimated 177% of revenue was lost last year. He anticipates that the proposed $15 non-resident one week shellfish permit fee of $15.00 will be received well.

Mr. Lind is still working on the mooring and docking fees and will return with those at another

Selectman McDonald made a motion to accept adding the proposed non-resident one week shellfish permit fee of $15.00 as presented. Selectman Schropfer seconded the motion.

Board of Health Licensing Fees:

Ms. Jane Crowley, Health Agent, noted that as Agent for the Board of Health she works with

state laws and noted that whatever the situation, the Health Agent responds immediately to

complaints and follows up as appropriate. In regards to rentals, the nitrate water testing was

accepted as a substitute once in every three years as a small incentive to the renter.

As an aside, Selectman McDonald asked that in the future a consistent format be presented

from every department at the outset when discussing changes in fees. Selectman McDonald thought this would be helpful. Ms. Vanderhoef thanked Selectman McDonald for his recommendation.

The Board of Health has recommended that the following fees be increased: Whirlpool/Sauna from $75.00 to $100.00; Sale of Tobacco from $50.00 to $75.00 and the Perc Test from $75.00 to $100.00.

Additionally, the following new fees were proposed: Variance Filing Fee - $50.00;

Certificate of Compliance (sale of real estate) - $25.00 and Septic Inspection Fee - $50.00.

Selectman Collins moved that the aforementioned Board of Health Licensing Fees as presented be approved. Selectman McDonald seconded the motion. APPROVED 4-0.

Solid Waste Disposal Fees

Mr. Martin Mickle, Acting Department of Public Works Supervisor, was present. Mr. Mickle

noted that the most significant change was the Resident Vehicle Sticker recommendation

for increasing the Second Vehicle sticker from $5.00 to $15.00; increasing the Single Entry Coupons (4 bag limit) (Max 32 gallon - 25 lb. Bag) fee from $5.00 to $10.00 increasing the

Replacement Sticker fee from $2.00 to $5.00.

Additionally, there will be a new fee added to Special Wastes fees which will include Porcelain Sinks and toilets and Carpets 4' rolls for a fee of $10.00.

Discussion followed related to tightening regulations for those entering the Transfer Station.

All individuals will have to have a sticker to gain entry, and there will be no more free entry

into the transfer station. Coupons will not be sold in bulk. The increase from $5.00 to

$10.00 for a single coupon will tangibly address this problem.

Selectman McDonald wished to recommend review of the Tipping Contract which will be

up in a few years. Although this is a subject for another meeting, Selectmen McDonald

thought it appropriate to begin thinking about this. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that data

analysis of this operation will be forthcoming.

Selectman Collins made a motion to approve the Transfer Station Fees as presented.

Selectman Schropfer seconded the motion. APPROVED 5-0.

Recreation and Beach Department Fees:

Mr. Mark Powers, Recreation and Beach Director, was present. Mr. Powers recommended

the following rate increases: Taxpayer sticker from $15.00 to $20.00; Weekly Sticker

from $50.00 to $55.00; Two Week Sticker from $90.00 to $95.00 and the Seasonal Sticker

from $135.00 to $150.00.

Proposed increases are not recommended to take place for the upcoming 2007 season. Increases are voted on one full year ahead in order to fully inform and educate the public of any changes in fees in a timely manner.

Selectman Schropfer made a motion to accept the increase in Recreation and Beach Department Fees as presented. Selectman McDonald seconded the motion. APPROVED 4-0.

Request for Assessor’s Records Fees:

Ms. Cindy Nicholson, Assessor’s Clerk, was present to address any questions, as the Deputy Assessor, Gail Fitzback had a prior appointment and was unable to be present here this evening.

Ms. Nicholson noted that technological changes and increased inquiries from lawyers requiring

certification of records, have increased the work involved in providing complete and accurate

information to the public.

With the aforementioned in mind, the following fee increases were recommended for requests for

Assessor’s Records: Assessor’s Map from the present 25 cents each to 50 cents each;

Property Owners on Disk ($1.50 to mail) from $25.00 to $40.00 and a proposed new

charge for providing an Assessor’s Certificate to $10.00 each.

The Board of Selectmen, after a brief discussion, thought the new Assessor’s Certificate charge

should be $25.00 rather than the proposed $10.00.

Selectman Schropfer made a motion to accept the increase in charges as presented, with the

exception of increasing the newly proposed request for an Assessor’s Certificate to

$25.00. Selectman Collins seconded the motion. APPROVED 4-0.

Medical Transportation - Council on Aging

It was noted that the Council on Aging Medical Transportation service no longer goes to

Boston as the R.T.A. has taken over that run.

The fees as presented are as follows:

Welfleet, Orleans, proposed fee $5.00; Chatham, Harwich, Brewster, proposed fee $8.00;

Dennis, Yarmouth, Hyannis from $8.00 to $10.00; Centerville, Mashpee, proposed fee

$15.00; Falmouth, Sandwich from $15.00 to $20.00; Plymouth from $20.00 to $25.00;

Weymouth, from $30.00 to $45.00; proposed fee to Quincy $50.00; proposed fee to

Framingham $55.00 and proposed fee to Burlington $60.00.

Selectman McDonald made a motion to approve the aforementioned fee schedule as

presented. Selectman Schropfer seconded the motion. APPROVED 4-0.

Plumbing and Gas Permit Fees - Revisited

The Board of Selectmen revisited the Plumbing and Gas Permit Fees at this time and asked what exactly is covered under the heading “Gas Water Heater” on their listing.

Ms. Vanderhoef noted that she will check on this for the Board of Selectmen.

The following recommendations for Plumbing and Gas Permit Fees follows:

Rough Inspection from the present $30.00 to $40.00; Final Inspection from $30.00 to $40.00;

Fee per Fixture from $7.00 to $10.00; New Home (up to ten (10) fixtures from $120.00

to $150.00 and Gas Water Heaters from $37.00 to $50.00.

Selectman Schropfer made a motion to accept the aforementioned Plumbing and Gas Permit Fee increases as presented, with the stipulation that the Board of Selectmen will receive clarification on the “Gas Water Heater” item listed. Selectman Collins seconded the motion. APPROVED 4-0.

No fee changes proposed at this time.

The Fire Department has recommended a fee increase for Open Burning Permits from $5.00

to $10.00 and a newly proposed $25.00 re-inspection fee.

Selectman McDonald made a motion to approve the fee increase and newly proposed re-inspection fee as presented. Selectman Collins seconded the motion. APPROVED 4-0.

Council on Aging - Copier - Human Services Gift Account

Ms. Vanderhoef brought another item to the attention of the Board of Selectmen. The Council on Aging has asked for the Board of Selectmen to consider their request to lease a copier for the Council on Aging. They would like to use funds from the Human Services Gift Account. Placement of this copier at the Council on Aging will allow them to afford immediate printing savings via creation of their newsletter in-house, as well as to facilitate their copying needs.

Selectman Schropfer made a motion to approve the leasing of the copier as presented for the

Council on Aging through the Human Services Gift Fund. Selectman McDonald

seconded the motion. APPROVED 4-0.

The Board of Selectmen will consider adding another meeting to their schedule and will further

discuss a possible date for this meeting at their Monday, March 19, 2007 meeting, in order to vote recommendations on the Warrant.

Another proposed agenda item (Charter Change/Search Committee) will be considered on

Wednesday, March 21, 2007, to allow for quality time for discussion of this item.

Ms. Vanderhoef noted that in a meeting yesterday in Boston between Town Counsel and litigants

counsel Bill Reilly regarding the beach litigation, the following dates were issued:

September 25 - 28, 2007 - four days for trial;

September 14, 2007 - pre-trial;

August 30 - 2007, for discovery and

July 20, 2007 for list of persons to dispose.

With regards to Mr. Paul Lothrop’s question regarding wind-turbines to be placed as a ballot question, Ms. Vanderhoef noted that his request for placing a ballot question in favor or against four wind turbines in Eastham would be non-binding. However, there is an ability for a question to be on the ballot if the Board wants to vote such a question on the ballot. However, it should be noted that once there is a vote at Town Meeting the decision will have been made by that body of individuals, and the ballot vote results either for or against is non-binding.

Two Parcels by Bike Trail

Selectman McDonald wanted to bring before the Board of Selectmen consideration of two parcels by the bike trail near the Brackett Road development that he thought might be of potential interest for consideration for purchase.

By consensus, the Board of Selectmen agreed that they would like to review more information

on this property.

All matters having been discussed, Selectman Schropfer made a motion to adjourn the meeting

at 4:17 p.m. Selectman Collins seconded the motion. APPROVED 4-0.

Respectfully submitted,